The OECD on Canadian Education Performance

An OECD Briefing Note on Canada released with the 2006 “Education at a Glance” Indicators http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/52/1/37392733.pdf shows that we are generally doing very well in a comparative context – high rates of post secondary education completion; good scores on international attainment tests; and relatively equal educational outcomes by social class compared to other countries. However, the report notes stagnation in the percentage of the younger adult cohort completing PSE (as reported in today’s Globe and Mail) and points to other issues – relative exclusion from employer training of less educated adult workers; still significant class barriers standing in the way of equal access to education; and highlights an exceptionally fast- growing private education system in Canada (albeit growing from a low level.)